WAS - SFO

$156 Find Cheap Flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco - Compare and Save

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco departing on 11/7. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
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1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$322
Typical prices: $394-$597
Southwest
Tue 9/1Wed 9/30
BWI - SFO • Non-stop
Cheapest one-way
$156
Typical prices: $193-$513
American Airlines
Sat 11/7
IAD - SFO • 1 stop
Advice from real travelers
AI-powered summary based on content written by travel experts and KAYAK users. AI can make mistakes.
United Economy Plus adds up to 6 inches more legroom than standard economy.
Alaska Premium Class adds legroom; bring a device since seatback screens aren't noted.
Expert advice
Expert advice
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Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with Alaska Airlines and United Airlines. Average duration is 5h 47m
Direct flights
Direct flights
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Direct flights
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Top routes
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Avoid delays
Most punctual • 84% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
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Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $200 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 7h 40m (one-way)
Insights
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When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 4 weeks in advance save around 54% compared to booking last minute.
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When to travel
Cheapest • 17% price drop
Most popular
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Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco (WAS-SFO)

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for round-trip flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco that are departing in the next months. While these flights were available on KAYAK in the last 72 hours, prices and availability are subject to change and deals may expire.
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

Tue, Sep 1 - Wed, Sep 30
Southwest Logo
8:55 am - 11:35 amBWI  Baltimore/Washington-SFO San Francisco
5h 40mnonstop
Southwest Logo
10:30 pm - 6:35 amSFO  San Francisco-BWI Baltimore/Washington
5h 05mnonstop
$322Southwest
Sat, Oct 17 - Sun, Nov 1
Frontier Logo
9:52 am - 9:18 pmBWI  Baltimore/Washington-SFO San Francisco
14h 26m2 stops Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Los Angeles
Frontier Logo
6:45 pm - 11:11 amSFO  San Francisco-BWI Baltimore/Washington
13h 26m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth
$322Frontier
Tue, Oct 13 - Sat, Oct 17
Frontier Logo
9:52 am - 6:20 pmBWI  Baltimore/Washington-SFO San Francisco
11h 28m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
Frontier Logo
7:30 pm - 8:25 pmSFO  San Francisco-BWI Baltimore/Washington
21h 55m2 stops Los Angeles Houston George Bush Intcntl
$322Frontier
Tue, Sep 15 - Sat, Sep 19
Multiple Airlines Logo
4:00 pm - 11:17 pmBWI  Baltimore/Washington-SFO San Francisco
10h 17m1 stop Fort Lauderdale
Multiple Airlines Logo
11:58 pm - 11:40 amSFO  San Francisco-BWI Baltimore/Washington
8h 42m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth
$322Multiple Airlines
Thu, Sep 24 - Mon, Sep 28
Multiple Airlines Logo
4:00 pm - 11:17 pmBWI  Baltimore/Washington-SFO San Francisco
10h 17m1 stop Fort Lauderdale
Multiple Airlines Logo
11:58 pm - 11:40 amSFO  San Francisco-BWI Baltimore/Washington
8h 42m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth
$322Multiple Airlines
Wed, Nov 11 - Mon, Nov 16
Southwest Logo
5:50 pm - 11:55 pmBWI  Baltimore/Washington-SFO San Francisco
9h 05m1 stop Chicago Midway
Southwest Logo
6:00 am - 5:35 pmSFO  San Francisco-BWI Baltimore/Washington
8h 35m2 stops Chicago Midway Richmond Byrd Intl
$324Southwest
Thu, Sep 3 - Fri, Sep 11
Delta Logo
6:15 am - 10:25 amBWI  Baltimore/Washington-SFO San Francisco
7h 10m1 stop Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
Delta Logo
10:59 pm - 11:45 amSFO  San Francisco-BWI Baltimore/Washington
9h 46m1 stop Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
$330Delta
Mon, Nov 16 - Wed, Nov 18
United Airlines Logo
8:00 am - 11:10 amBWI  Baltimore/Washington-SFO San Francisco
6h 10mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
9:12 am - 5:26 pmSFO  San Francisco-BWI Baltimore/Washington
5h 14mnonstop
$336United Airlines
Thu, Sep 3 - Mon, Sep 7
United Airlines Logo
6:52 pm - 9:43 pmBWI  Baltimore/Washington-SFO San Francisco
5h 51mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
12:45 am - 11:45 amSFO  San Francisco-BWI Baltimore/Washington
8h 00m1 stop Houston George Bush Intcntl
$337United Airlines
Fri, Sep 11 - Fri, Sep 11
Delta Logo
7:35 am - 12:17 pmBWI  Baltimore/Washington-SFO San Francisco
7h 42m1 stop Salt Lake City
Delta Logo
10:59 pm - 11:45 amSFO  San Francisco-BWI Baltimore/Washington
9h 46m1 stop Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
$337Delta
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for Washington, D.C. to San Francisco flights

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

How much is a round-trip flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

This analysis is based on the cheapest round-trip price found on KAYAK in the last 12 months by searching for a flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco departing in September.

Flight prices are below average for this route right now.

Flights to San Francisco from Washington, D.C. usually cost between $398 and $596 in September.
The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $322 on Southwest (Sep 1-Sep 30).

What is the cheapest Washington, D.C. to San Francisco flight route?

Data is based on round-trip flight searches on KAYAK over the past month.

The absolute cheapest return flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco costs $317 on the route between Baltimore (BWI) and San Francisco (SFO). However, over the past month, flights between Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport (DCA) and San Francisco (SFO) were, on average, 13% cheaper than other Washington, D.C.-San Francisco routes. The most popular route is between Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport (IAD) and San Francisco (SFO).

What’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

The average price of all round-trip flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco clicked on KAYAK for each day over the last 12 months.

If you are looking for a flight deal from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco, look for departures on Thursdays and avoid leaving on a Monday, as it's usually the priciest day. When flying back from San Francisco, Wednesday is the cheapest day to fly and Sunday is the most expensive.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the median of all values for each month.

The cheapest month for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco is February, where tickets cost $393 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are June and March, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is $573 and $540 respectively.

Can I save money by flying with a layover from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

The average round-trip price for all non-stop flights, flights with one layover, and flights with two layovers for the route found by users searching on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks.

No, with an average price for the route of $491, prices are generally cheapest when you fly direct.

How far in advance should I book a flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the average of all the values for each week.

To get a below average price on the flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco, you should book around 4 weeks before departure, which saves you about 54% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 13 weeks before departure.

Expert advice

Expert advice for your flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

 
AI-powered summary based on content written by travel experts. AI can make mistakes.
KAYAK teamed up with top travel experts to share the best tips for your journey.
Our travel experts
Stefanie Waldek

Stefanie Waldek

Expert on United Airlines and IAD

Stefanie Waldek is a freelance space, travel, and design writer based in Saratoga Springs, NY. Her words have appeared in Space.com, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Architectural Digest, and House Beautiful, among other publications. An expert in aviation and expedition cruising, Stefanie is frequently up in the air or on the sea, likely en route to Antarctica or the Arctic.

Harriet Baskas

Harriet Baskas

Expert on Alaska Airlines

Harriet is an award-winning journalist who is happiest in an airport or an unusual museum. Her stories about airports, air travel, and the business of travel have appeared on NBC News, CNBC, USA TODAY, The Points Guy and other outlets. She is the creator of the StuckatTheAirport.com blog and the author of nine books. When not out on the road or exploring the latest airport amenities, she’s home in Seattle getting ready for the next adventure.

Ramsey Qubein

Ramsey Qubein

Expert on DCA

An avid traveler and aviation expert who has visited 173 countries, all 50 states and seven continents, Ramsey Qubein flies nearly 400,000 miles a year. As a North Carolina-based freelance journalist for publications including Conde Nast Traveler, Forbes, USA Today and Bloomberg among others, he explores the latest trends in aviation, hospitality, cruises and business.

Blane Bachelor

Blane Bachelor

Expert on SFO

Blane Bachelor is a journalist and editor specializing in travel and aviation who writes regularly for top global outlets. Born and raised in Florida, Blane has worked and lived in four countries, including the Netherlands, where she’s currently based with her family. Her favorite way to get to know a new destination is by running or riding a bike around town – or hearing a spooky ghost story about local history. She will always choose the window seat.

Good to know

Low season

January

Cheapest flight

$156
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 12% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 15% increase in price.
Flight from Washington Dulles Airport to San Francisco

When to book flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price
KAYAK looks at all historical flight data for each date to provide a predicted price for one-way trips or round-trips with a duration up to 40 days. While we try to provide actual minimum prices for each date, some prices are predictions and actual prices may differ.

Flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco: the best tips from KAYAK users' own experiences

Insights shared by verified travelers who flew the route from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco 
Verified travelerFlew with Alaska Airlines-Jan 2025
Reserve your plane seat & bring something to eat in the plane.
PhallyFlew with Alaska Airlines-Oct 2024
Don't take too much stuff. Make sure to have the necessary documents or boarding pass ready.
NoamFlew with Alaska Airlines-Aug 2024
Flying to the Ronald Reagan airport is closer and faster to D.C. than the Dulles airport.
DeniseFlew with Alaska Airlines-May 2024
Bring your own device. No screens on the seatbacks.

FAQs for booking flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

  • How do I get around once I arrive in California?

    From San Francisco Airport, there are a number of public transport options. Take the AirTrain to the BART Rapid Rail station, which goes to San Francisco, East Bay, and San Mateo County. If you’re traveling to San Jose, the Caltrain Commuter rail has a direct service from Millbrae Station. The SamTrans public bus service runs 24/7 and connects the airport with Millbrae Station, San Francisco, and San Mateo County.

  • How do I get around San Francisco Airport?

    For the convenience of people traveling through San Francisco Airport, the SFO AirTrain is a free 24-hour service that connects the domestic and international terminals, parking garages, rental car center, and the BART train station.

  • I’m traveling with kids. How can I keep them entertained?

    The FunWay at Dulles International is a play area with a slide and foam models of NASA aircraft where kids can run around before departure. A touchscreen console has kid-friendly games, while activity sheets and puzzles keep children entertained. Located in Concourse B, parents and guardians have access to seating and charging stations while they wait.

  • Are there pet relief areas on this route?

    If you’re traveling with a pet or service animal, Dulles International in Washington has four pet relief areas in the airport to use before you depart. After you land at San Francisco, there are a number of fenced animal relief areas with water bowls, which are indicated by paw-prints painted on the ground.

  • Can I fly nonstop from Washington, D.C., to San Francisco?

    Yes, those looking for direct flights to San Francisco to DC will be glad to know that they have several options. United Airlines offers nonstop service from both BWI and IAD to SFO, American Airlines offers nonstop service from IAD to SFO, and Alaska Airlines offers nonstop service from IAD to SFO.

  • What other cities does San Francisco International Airport serve besides just San Francisco?

    Aside from San Francisco, SFO serves as the main gateway to northern California. You can easily access other nearby cities such as Oakland, Davis, Fremont, Berkeley, Santa Rosa and San Jose from SFO.

  • Can I get to the downtown area of San Francisco via a rideshare when I land?

    Yes, the rideshare apps Lyft and Uber both operate at SFO. Each terminal has a designated pickup area for these rides. At Terminal 1, you’ll meet your ride in the garage core A/B and B. In Terminal 2, it is located at garage core C and D, and in Terminal 3, you will go to E, F, and F/G. The rideshare app Wingz also operates at SFO, and the pickup locations are just outside the doors of each terminal.

  • Are there any hotels at the airports in Washington, D.C.?

    Yes. In case you’d like to stay at the airport the night before your flight, IAD boasts the Washington Dulles Airport Marriott onsite, BWI has the Sheraton BWI Hotel, and DCA has the Crystal City Marriott. These airports also each have many other hotel options nearby in case you’d prefer to take a free shuttle in the morning.

  • If I don’t have a direct flight from Washington DC to San Francisco, where will my layovers occur?

    If you have not booked a direct flight, your layover locations will depend on the airlines you choose to fly with. For example, Frontier Airlines stops in Denver (DEN), United Airlines stops in either New York (EWR) or Houston (IAH), Delta stops in Minneapolis (MSP), and JetBlue stops in Boston (BOS).

  • What documents will I need in order to fly from Washington, D.C., to San Francisco?

    US citizens boarding a flight from DC to San Francisco need only a valid passport or a REAL ID driver’s license. Please keep in mind that normal driver’s licenses that are not REAL IDs will not be accepted for air travel. 

  • What is the cheapest flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

    In the last 5 days, the lowest price for a flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco was $156 for a one-way ticket and $322 for a round-trip.

  • Do I need a passport to fly between Washington, D.C. and San Francisco?

    No, a passport isn't needed to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco. However, local authorities might ask for an official ID.

  • Which airports will I be using when flying from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

    There are 2 airports in Washington, D.C. (Washington, D.C. Reagan-National and Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl.) and only 1 airport in San Francisco (San Francisco). The cheapest flights are generally found on the Washington Dulles Airport to San Francisco flight route.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi service onboard planes from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

    Only Alaska Airlines offers inflight Wi-Fi service on the Washington, D.C. to San Francisco flight route.

  • Which aircraft models fly most regularly from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

    The Boeing 737 MAX 9 is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the Washington, D.C. to San Francisco flight route.

  • Which airline alliances offer flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

    SkyTeam, oneworld, and Star Alliance are the airline alliances operating flights between Washington, D.C. and San Francisco, with SkyTeam being the most commonly used for this route.

  • On which days can I fly direct from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

    There are nonstop flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco on a daily basis.

  • Which is the best airline for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco, Southwest or Alaska Airlines?

    The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco are Southwest and Alaska Airlines. With an average price for the route of $437 and an overall rating of 8.0, Southwest is the most popular choice. Alaska Airlines is also a great choice for the route, with an average price of $461 and an overall rating of 7.9.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to San Francisco from Washington, D.C. is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly to San Francisco with an airline and back to Washington, D.C. with another airline.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to San Francisco from Washington, D.C. up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

KAYAK’s top tips for finding a cheap flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

  • Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found flights on this route for $290 or less one-way and $501 or less round-trip.
  • Direct flights from Washington to San Francisco are served by a number of airlines, including United and Alaska Airlines. Flights from Washington to San Francisco usually depart from Dulles International Airport and arrive at San Francisco International Airport.
  • If you’re hungry before your flight from Dulles, there are plenty of food and beverage outlets to choose from. Enjoy a meal by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, grab a gourmet burger or a slice of pizza, or relax with a glass of wine before you embark.
  • A diverse collection of local art, sculptures, and rotating exhibits are on display at Dulles International Airport. While waiting for flights to depart, travelers can also see the Daedalus 87 human-powered aircraft on display at the AeroTrain station in Concourse B and enjoy live entertainment and classical music performances throughout the terminals.
  • If someone in your party is flying from Dulles for the first time and has special needs, the Wings for All program has been designed to ease the stress of flying for people with special needs. Families and guardians can take part in a simulation of the stages of traveling on a plane, from checking in and passing through security to boarding an aircraft. This program also helps to educate airport personnel to understand the needs of all passengers.
  • At San Francisco Airport, friendly dogs wearing “Pet me!” vests can be found around the terminals with their handlers. The Wag Brigade program brings certified animal therapy dogs to spread cheer through the airport with their gentle dispositions and helps to ease the stress of traveling, especially for children.
  • The Airport Butler at San Francisco is a multilingual concierge service that can be customized for all kinds of travelers including business passengers, senior citizens, and those traveling with children. Passengers are met at the gate and escorted through the airport. The Airport Butler also assists with luggage collection and can organize transfers and hotel bookings.
  • Washington, D.C., is served by three major airports: Dulles International Airport (IAD), Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). Most departures from DC to San Francisco depart from either IAD or BWI, but DCA serves a small number of flights, as well.
  • If you will be landing late at night in San Francisco, you may want to book a hotel near the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) so you can immediately rest before continuing your journey in the morning. The Grand Hyatt SFO is onsite at the airport, and there are plenty of hotels connected to the hotel via free shuttles.
  • Those traveling out of BWI, IAD, or DCA with limited mobility will be glad to know that all three airports offer accessibility services. At each one, wheelchair rental is available, as well as escort service, accessible facilities, changing tables, and more.

Prefer to fly direct from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco?

 
Direct data is based off flight results for the next 60 days. Find direct flights from all airlines flying direct from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco.
Find which airlines fly direct from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

Monday

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Tuesday

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Wednesday

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Thursday

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Friday

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Saturday

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Sunday

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

See more direct flights

Direct returns

San Francisco to Washington, D.C.

Monday

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Tuesday

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Wednesday

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Thursday

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Friday

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Saturday

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Sunday

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

See more direct flights

Everything you need to know for your flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

Information on your arrival and departure airports